Etilamfetamine Explained

Etilamfetamine, also known as N-ethylamphetamine and formerly sold under the brand names Apetinil and Adiparthrol, is a stimulant drug of the amphetamine family. It was invented in the early 20th century and was subsequently used as an anorectic or appetite suppressant in the 1950s,^[1] but was not as commonly used as other amphetamines such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, and benzphetamine, and was largely discontinued once newer drugs such as phenmetrazine were introduced.

Pharmacology

Ethylamphetamine is a potent dopamine releasing agent in vitro, with an of 88.5nM.^[2] This is about 10-fold lower than the of amphetamine. The values of ethylamphetamine for induction of norepinephrine and serotonin release were not reported. Ethylamphetamine can also be N-dealkylated into amphetamine (5–18% excreted in urine after 24hours).^[3]

Chemistry

The molecular structure of ethylamphetamine is analogous to methamphetamine, with an ethyl group in place of the methyl group.^[4] It can also be considered a substituted amphetamine, with an ethyl group on the amphetamine backbone.^{[5] [6]}

Recreational use

Ethylamphetamine can be used as a recreational drug and, while its prevalence is less than amphetamine's, it is still encountered as a substance taken for recreational purposes.

Ethylamphetamine produces effects similar to amphetamine and methamphetamine, though it is of weaker potency. At equipotent dosage, ethylamphetamine is subjectively less euphorigenic.

See also

• 3-Fluoroethamphetamine
• Dimethylamphetamine
• Fenfluramine
• Isopropylamphetamine
• Propylamphetamine
• Butylamphetamine

Notes

1. Junet R . [Ethylamphetamine in the treatment of obesity] . Praxis . 45 . 43 . 986–8 . October 1956 . 13389142 .
2. Reith ME, Blough BE, Hong WC, Jones KT, Schmitt KC, Baumann MH, Partilla JS, Rothman RB, Katz JL . Behavioral, biological, and chemical perspectives on atypical agents targeting the dopamine transporter . Drug Alcohol Depend . 147 . 1–19 . February 2015 . 25548026 . 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.005 . 4297708 .
3. Beckett AH, Shenoy EV . The effect of N-alkyl chain length of stereochemistry on the absorption, metabolism and during excretion of N-alkylamphetamines in man . J Pharm Pharmacol . 25 . 10 . 793–799 . October 1973 . 4151673 . 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1973.tb09943.x .
4. Amphetamine is a substituted phenethylamine with a methyl group at R^A position.
5. The ethyl group of ethylamphetamine is at R^N position, hence the name N-ethylamphetamine.
6. Ethylamphetamine is structurally similar to N-methylamphetamine (methamphetamine), the ethyl group being replaced in methamphetamine with a methyl group.